Our morning began at the Omni Grove Park Inn, the grand stone resort perched above Asheville since 1913. Built from mountain granite and timber, it’s one of America’s most iconic lodges—once hosting presidents, writers, and even F. Scott Fitzgerald for an extended stay. Its Craftsman-style design and massive fireplaces make it feel timeless.
The Grove Park Inn holds special meaning for my family. During World War II, my grandfather’s oil tanker was torpedoed by a German submarine. Only eleven men survived. He was badly burned and sent to Grove Park, which had been converted into a military hospital. No women were allowed, but he missed my grandmother so much he snuck her in. It’s a story that’s been told in our family ever since.
We walked into the lobby and took a photo inside the enormous stone fireplace—big enough to stand in—
We wandered out to the porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fog was beginning to roll in as a rainstorm approached, and we were hoping to get a few clear photos before the clouds settled over the peaks.
After showing our friends where the Gingerbread House Competition is usually displayed, we found a photo of Debbie Reynolds who our Debbie was named after, few of last year’s creations still on view in glass cases—including one modeled after the Grove Park Inn itself. Near that area, we noticed a sign for a Pink Lady event scheduled for the following night.
The Pink Lady is Grove Park’s most famous ghost. As the story goes, she was a young woman who fell to her death from the fifth floor in the 1920s, and her spirit never left. Guests and staff have reported seeing a soft pink mist drifting through the halls, lights flickering for no reason, and even feeling a gentle presence near Room 545. She’s said to be a kind spirit, known for comforting children and playing harmless pranks on guests. The hotel embraces her legend warmly—part history, part mystery, and now a beloved piece of Grove Park folklore.
We wandered through a few gift shops afterward, admiring the mountain crafts and holiday displays. When we noticed the clouds thickening, we decided it was smart to head into downtown Asheville earlier than planned. We’d intended to walk around a bit, but after lunch we changed course and made our way to Highland Brewing instead.
Lunch was at Pack’s Tavern, located in the 1907 Hayes & Hopson building—a former lumber warehouse and Prohibition-era bootleg hub. The tavern keeps that old-Asheville charm alive with brick walls, creaky floors, and hearty food. Sadly, the brick oven was being cleaned, which meant many of the pizzas and sandwiches were unavailable that day.
Highland Brewing Company, Asheville’s first legal brewery since Prohibition, was our next stop. Founded in 1994 by Oscar Wong, it helped launch the city’s craft-beer scene. Their Clawhammer Oktoberfest was completely sold out, but that didn’t stop us from trying to hunt some down. We even checked Harris Teeter—no luck. We settled instead on Green Man ESB and Foothills Oktoberfest, both solid picks. The rain that had been forecast to start around lunchtime held off until about 2 p.m.—just as we were wrapping up at Highland and heading out.
Meanwhile, the guys explored New Belgium Brewing, enjoying river views and Belgian-style ales.
Later, we returned to Biltmore Village, popped into a few shops, but none quite matched our earlier Spartina stop. We headed back home to enjoy charcuterie that we all brought.
By evening, we were ready to unwind—pizza, movie popcorn, and a John Candy double feature: Brewster’s Millions and Planes, Trains & Automobiles.
It was the perfect cozy ending to a day that blended Asheville’s history, a ghostly tale or two, good beer, and a family connection that makes Grove Park feel like part of our own story.
Happiness is Possible 